This is just cool

This is just cool.

It's better to click on the link and watch it bigger.

December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse from Michael Black on Vimeo.

D.I.Y obsessed

This is it. This is the year I become a crafter. I have never desired to craft before, but with tons of simple-jillable tutorials out there--i just gotta.

Pillow Tutorial HERE.




Not exactly a tutorial HERE, but pictures of how it is done.

Fun Link

Remember this picture? One of many rotten things my son has done. You have to check out THIS SITE for stuff that other people's rotten children have done. It'll suck you in.

Magic Jack

Has anyone tried the Magic Jack? Reviews seem to be about 70% good, but the negative comments are really bad.

I am thinking about it. Anybody know anything?

Christmas in July

I'm totally obsessed with handmade. I want next year's Christmas to be a handmade Christmas. The problem with that is that I am shooting all during October and November and it takes up all of my free time. So if I do this, I have to start early. Like July. I've been wanting to make my own stockings but I never have time. I swear 2011 is the year. So I've been checking out handmade stuff--because it is all over the blogging world. So this is on my list of things to make in July---who's with me?

One of my favorite photographers made this. It's a Jillified craft (meaning crafts for non-crafty people) and it's super cute.





And what kid wouldn't want this felt board (I want this):



My girls would go ape doo-doo for THIS PLAY TENT:




I totally think it would be fun to try out THESE DOLLS--but make it into a nativity set. Use the wooden spool ones for the adult people, but the clothespin one for the baby Jesus.





Or fun MONSTER DOLLS:




Fabric covered earrings:



And if I'm super ambitious THIS TEPEE (NOR--this is up your alley)

Buy here

I'm a pimp for my friends.

Need Gift Tags

Tipped off (again) by How about Orange:


Need gift Tags get These cute ones HERE



and these HERE

Lovin the Holidays

I just found two things that I thought were great ideas.

First: Hot Glueing the graham crackers for a gingerbread house. I have avoided doing gingerbread houses because I didn't want to deal with making it stick together. THIS GENIUS came up with the idea. I'm totally doing it next year. Brilliant.



And from her blog I linked to THIS IDEA of writing notes in stockings. When the season is over and you are packing up your stuff you write a little note to yourself that will be unveiled next year when the stockings are unpacked. You write hopes for yourself. That sounds super fun. Like a mini version of at time capsule.



And check HERE how to make your own fun tree skirt.

LET THEM PLAY!

For anyone with children in the Mesa Public School System.

CHECK THIS OUT.

The state passed a law that all schools have to review their current recess policy. It has been suggested that MPS go to a structured recess--somewhat like P.E.

THIS IDEA IS LAME.

So make your voices heard. Go the meeting tomorrow night.

Or--your more likely option is to GO HERE GO HERE GO HERE and leave a comment.

Let our kids be kids and run and play. They don't need any more rules.

sidenote: the more they pull this bullcrap, the more I consider homeschooling, as long as someone else is teaching my kids and they still leave in the morning and come back in the afternoon. So more like home schooling at someone else's home.

rude and offensives sidenote: This law is probably due to America's fat kid problem. Here's an idea--fix the nasty preservative mostly tan colored food lunch program.

D.I.Y. Christmas

I know it's a little late, but I just got tipped off to this awesome list of Do It Yourself projects.

Look HERE.

Also, I had a friend suggest getting a large vase from IKEA, and get that glass etching stuff from a craft store, and etch on an initial of the family and fill it with large ornaments.

I thought that was a good idea.

I also like THIS idea for t-shirts. I totally want to try it.

Prep and Landing

Prep and Landing is on tonight! ON ABC. It's the cutest little Christmas cartoon that I love. Oh, and the kids like it to.

Watch it!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I realize the economy sucks and we are beyond broke. So I realize I will get none of this for Christmas. However, I thought I'd give you a head start on next year when things should be looking up. (hopefully for everyone). I'm not sad, I'm actually beyond happy for all of the things I have--a house that I should be in for years, enough money to pay our bills, the prospect of better income in the future. But that worldly side me still has yearnings. So here is a place to start:

This Bike.




This Dress





One of these ties for Beck



This Camera Bag (yes it's a camera bag!)



This Top



And possibly this dress



This Cardigan



Ooh and maybe this



These Trousers


And while I'm being greedy how about an iPad

The Theater (read with a brittish accent)

My friend's son is Tiny Tim in a Christmas Carol at Chandler Gilbert. Her other kids are in it too as cute little extras.

It is such a fun play! The actor for Ebenezer Scrooge was so fun and entertaining. It was a musical and my kids loved it.

I was very impressed with the talent.

So go. For reals.

Here is the link.

I believe my friend's son is Tiny Tim for today's matinee and tomorrow's night performance. Another very cute kid is Tiny Tim for the others.

Seriously. Your kids will love it--and you will enjoy it too.

Dear Murphy

Dear Murphy's Law,

Up Yours

Truly, it's the end of the year in which we have made less than we have in our entire marriage due to Hyrum going back to school. And I knew--just KNEW at the beginning of this year that if crap was going to go down--it would be this year.

So I said--Bring it on. But I didn't really mean it.

For reals--you started with the cars, and then continued with the cars and then are finishing it up with the cars. HMMM let me see if I can list them--A/C on the suburban, brakes on the burb, something else I can't remember on the burb, steering column on the Honda, New brakes, new clutch and then we rounded it out with a new CV boot. I get it our cars our old--but for real--that is ridiculous.

And now--The freaking Garbage disposal??? It's only 3 years old. Brand new when we put it in ourselves when we bought the house. IT's a dumb disposal. And I tried to thwart you--when it started leaking I just shoved an empty bowl under it and then emptied it daily. Screw you murphy. But you got me--the old use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without just isn't cutting it. I can't bypass it. It's not that you don't work--you grind like a charm. Meanwhile spitting brown slushy goo all over the cabinet underneath. You're a clever little jerk. And since you are connected to the drain I can't really do without you.

So off Hyrum goes to throw down a whopping $169.99. Yes disposals cost that much. Well, they do if you don't buy the crappy Badger brand that we had before. You suck.

Remember the other day when I accidentally blocked that crazy girl from getting onto the road--remember her kind gesture to me? The one she did for an extended period of time which made me wonder if her parents ever loved her?

Well--same to you pal.


Sincerely your most hateful victim,

Me

Punch

I got a hankerin' for a new punch.

Does anyone have a good one they love?

Let me know.